Ushering the finest and most capable graphics card based on new AMD "Tahiti" 28nm GPUs, the ASUS HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP uses a factory-overclocked core and 3 GB of GDDR5. It is cooled by the exclusive DirectCU II, a dual fan thermal design with six copper heatpipes and a large dissipation area that leads to the lowest temperatures and quietest operation of any HD 7970 card.

ASUS DIGI+ VRM 12-phase digital power delivery comes to graphics cards improved with Super Alloy Power components, while overclockers are bound to appreciate the inclusion of exclusive VGA Hotwire hardware overvolting and GPU Tweak software tuning. The new cards further support adapter-free AMD Eyefinity 6.

Overclocked to 1000 MHz - 75 MHz higher than reference

The HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP ships tuned to 1000 MHz, 75 MHz up from reference. This boost in clock speeds creates noticeable performance improvement, helping make greater use of the generous 3 GB GDDR5 video memory. The default increase in speed indicates the proprietary ASUS HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP design's amenability to overclocking and performance pushing, making better use of the 384-bit memory interface and PCI Express 3.0 standard, which works at up to twice the speed of PCI Express 2.0.

DirectCU II leads to the coolest and quietest HD 7970 card available

Further design and engineering improvements to the ASUS DirectCU II thermal architecture have resulted in its finest iteration yet. The new design consists of six all-copper heatpipes in direct contact with the GPU, in addition to a 20% larger dissipation area than any previous versions. Cooling effectiveness increases by up to 20% compared to reference, helping the card run with improved stability and reliability - critical to successful overclocking. Since the card stays so cool, the dual fans can operate at lower speeds, contributing to a 14 dB quieter than reference experience that helps gamers focus on the action instead of the noise.

First graphics card DIGI+ VRM digital power design with 12-phase Super Alloy Power

ASUS has brought its acclaimed DIGI+ VRM digital power delivery design from motherboards to graphics cards, with the HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP serving as the launch vehicle. DIGI+ VRM has been applied via a massive 12-phase power design that uses digital voltage regulators to increase power efficiency, widen the voltage modulation range, and improve overall stability and longevity. Power delivery components utilize exclusive ASUS Super Alloy Power formulation, which reinforces capacitors, chokes, and MOSFETs with better manufacturing and materials to increase heat tolerance and stress resistance. Cards with Super Alloy Power outperform reference variants and last longer, offering consumers better value.

Easy DIY overvolting with VGA Hotwire

Derived from technology first implemented in ROG motherboards such as the Rampage IV Extreme, VGA Hotwire links headers on the motherboard and the graphics card with simple solder points. Users can alter voltages directly on a hardware level, resulting in more precise modification. Core, memory, and phase (PLL) voltages can be readily altered, opening up new overclocking opportunities.

Intuitive tuning via the GPU Tweak utility

Users who prefer a friendlier interface can utilize the ASUS GPU Tweak suite, which offers fast tuning of numerous card parameters, including clock speeds, voltages, and fan settings. GPU Tweak can control up to four cards at once through AMD CrossFireX. It features GPU clock and voltage syncing, plus 2D/3D switching and mode locking for higher 3D benchmarks. Users get more accurate system testing and higher scores in competitive overclocking scenarios. The utility offers auto driver/BIOS updates to keep cards in optimal working condition, and a handy monitoring widget that provides highly detailed multi-parameter information on demand. ASUS has also worked closely with Techpowerup to integrate GPU-Z into GPU Tweak, offering even more reliable graphics card data and tracking.

First HD 7970 card with four native DisplayPorts for six-screen AMD Eyefinity

The input/output logic of the HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP takes full advantage of the power of the hardware, offering users access to dual DVI and four DisplayPort connectors. As a result, one card can drive up to six screens - achieving HD/4K resolutions with no additional adapters. The efficient power of top-end 28 nm GPU technology means visuals look better than ever even on extremely large displays.

The HD 7950 DirectCU II TOP features the DirectCU II dual fan cooler and offers consumers superior performance compared to the 800 MHz HD 7950 reference card. ASUS has begun developing more enhanced versions of the HD 7950 that will feature additional exclusive ASUS technologies, including DIGI+ VRM and Super Alloy Power. These cards will ship during the remainder of Q1 2012. Further announcements will be made as products become available.

Yea , I dont ever get the Asus DCU II cards. It only needs to be 2x slots, they did this with the 6970/6950, however their was a 2x slot verson .. why did they go to 3x. They can claim better cooling witch leads too better OC. However, I would like too See any of the Asus DCUII (3x slot) 6950/6970/570/580 out preform MSI Twin Frozor III (2X Slot). It just wont happen.. Asus needs to go back too the drawing board and redo this heatsink.

I will never understand this .. you can get A 6990 or 590 that is 2x gpus that only take 2x slots. Why on earth would you take A 3x slot singal GPU that is not the best or = to others. Hell if you have 2x of these that is six slots ???.

I just dont get it ... I guess if you slap Asus Name on it will sell.

( note: I have nothing against Asus, I do/have owned over 6x Motherboards and 2x GPUs)

curious how well these will overclock on the stock voltage ( the ones they ship with) to see if these are higher binned. otherwise i cant imagine justifying the cost anymore for these huge but no doubt outstanding coolers when you see how well the cheapest sapphire custom dual fan cooler is doing on the 7950

I would totally go a DCII card cos they look like the absolute cream of the crop as non reference air cooled cards go, but 3 slots keeps it out of my PC-Q08.... I have to go with the Gigabyte versions because of that. either that or MSI lightning.

notice everyone with high overclocks is using Asus bios....
the cards $600 $10 cheaper then gigabyte, without the blue pcb,
clocks high already from asus so no fiddling with the bios is necessary
cooler is extremely quiet yet effective

has a heatsink specifically for the VRM / memory along with a seperate heatsink for the GPU die
and its actually 2 1/2 height dave pointed out to me earlier it uses 3 expansion slot brackets but the cards only 2 1/2slots for the cooler

consider my TF III 6950s sagged nearly half an inch the day i got them from cooler weight, Ill gladly take a cooler thats a bit larger but comes with a back plate for support.

soon as its available ill place my order, Ill eventually have 2 of these cards.

neko77025 said:Yea , I dont ever get the Asus DCU II cards. It only needs to be 2x slots, they did this with the 6970/6950, however their was a 2x slot verson .. why did they go to 3x. They can claim better cooling witch leads too better OC. However, I would like too See any of the Asus DCUII (3x slot) 6950/6970/570/580 out preform MSI Twin Frozor III (2X Slot). It just wont happen.. Asus needs to go back too the drawing board and redo this heatsink.

I will never understand this .. you can get A 6990 or 590 that is 2x gpus that only take 2x slots. Why on earth would you take A 3x slot singal GPU that is not the best or = to others. Hell if you have 2x of these that is six slots ???.

I just dont get it ... I guess if you slap Asus Name on it will sell.

( note: I have nothing against Asus, I do/have owned over 6x Motherboards and 2x GPUs)

Cannot agree more with this. I returned my direct CU II 6970 card and got 2 MSI Lightning Twin Frozr III in CF. MSI obviously outperforms Asus in terms of cooling - Asus idles at 40 full loads at 70; while MSI cards in CF idles at 40 full loads at 75. Mind you they are in cross fire so the top card does not have very good air flow. It is truly unnecessary to make a 3 slot card, while 2 slot does a better job. So I agree with Neko that Asus should do some serious redesign.

The HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP ships tuned to 1000 MHz, 75 MHz up from reference. This boost in clock speeds creates noticeable performance improvement, helping make greater use of the generous 3 GB GDDR5 video memory. The default increase in speed indicates the proprietary ASUS HD 7970 DirectCU II TOP design's amenability to overclocking and performance pushing, making better use of the 384-bit memory interface and PCI Express 3.0 standard, which works at up to twice the speed of PCI Express 2.0.

Considering a reference board/cooled card can do that with no voltage bump... Big whoop.